Since its slow right now (read that as dead thankfully), we decided to finally get the shop wired correctly... I had an upgraded power service put in a couple months ago, but didn't have the time or money for the wireing beyond that, so we're still running on what was here when we moved in the door almost 3 years ago... At any rate, the first quote I got was almost 16 grand... It was at that point I laughed at the electrician and told him to try again... The next number came back at around $7600... Now, he's getting in the right range... I did not however want to spend quite that much at the moment, so I had the guy stop over again, and we chatted about the cost...
Me: I'd like to get this down to the 5 grand range, so let's figure out what needs to change.
Him: hmmm... 5 grand huh... well can you go for $5500?...
Me: That's funny, I'm pretty sure I just said 5 grand...
Him: Well yes, but I think I can do the entire job for $5500 without haveing to change anything...
Me: But you were going to charge me $7600 not 5 minutes ago if I signed that paper...
Him: Well yes, but this is all just guesswork anyway when it comes to labor...
Me: Well I can understand that... $5500 it is... Write it up, and send it over...
Here's the lesson folks... Electricians must have an insane mark-up factor... I'm down to about a third of the first price he gave me, and I know damn well he's still going to make money on this job... The scarey thing is that this guy does good work... I shudder to think about the profit margin of the guys that just do slap-dash work...
Posted by Backstage at July 6, 2004 03:29 PM